EVENT ★ ALL HALLOWS' EVE

[futurologists]

ALL HALLOWS' EVE ( OCT 31 ) In Chantes, they say All Hallows' Eve is the night where the veil between this world and the next thins, allowing the souls of the dead to walk the streets. To disguise themselves from vengeful spirits seeking to carry out their last deeds, the cityfolk wear (sometimes outlandish) costumes, allowing them to revel in peace. Lanterns all around the city are lit to ward off evil spirits; wine and soul cakes have been left out as offerings. The civilians ask that you please don't steal them... or do, if you don't care what they think. The festivities are more extravagant this year than ever before, despite the fact that supplies are lacking. The cityfolk need something to take their mind off of the ever-growing unease. There's a wonderful feast to behold in the city square, if you're willing to spend the coin. Locally grown meats, autumn vegetables like pumpkin and squash and turnips, and — of course — delicious baked sweets of all kinds. There's dancing and singing and general merriment, the people seeming relaxed now that the goblins have been confined into one area. The revelry is open to all, but the food costs. Those who don't wish to pay can try their hand at begging door-to-door for sweets with the children, make some trades, or literally steal candy from babies. The goblins celebrate the holiday in their own way, too. In their house of worship, the elder leads a prayer for the lost souls of the dead. There's copious amounts of alcohol amongst the outskirts, although they're somewhat lacking in food — it's difficult to get humans to sell to them these days. Even Graldia and her men are out enjoying the festivities, but they're also on the look-out for outsiders, ready to fight if need be. All in all, the night goes swimmingly. With everyone on their different sides, it seems they can't fight. Then, like clockwork... All the candles in the square go out, just as they had at the Festival of Illumination. For a moment, only darkness. Then the flames ignite again to show two bodies in the center of the square, side by side: one goblin, one human. Closer inspection shows they're dead, but they have no signs of wounds or anything that could suggest they were killed. It comes with no symbol, no words this time; it seems the culprit felt they had already conveyed a strong message. The square erupts into chaos as law enforcement pushes them back, away from the square. Word travels fast as they run back to their homes. Only one man looks on, unsurprised. His costume is scarce, and those who were jailed may recognize him, the suspiciously silent prisoner. The moment he notices someone looking at him, he turns his back and walks away towards the outskirts.

Comments

Gintoki Sakata | OPEN

[naturallywavy]

[ A. ] WEARING GARLIC ON YOUR CLOTHES NEVER HELPED:

You’re walking down the street. It’s quiet— you feel you are alone, even though you aren’t—
A shiver crawls up your spine, and your stomach twists—
It’s either constipation, or the feel of eyes watching you.

Both things are terrifying. _{[ An ominous voice is heard, but nobody is seen. ]}
Ah, it’s coming for you now, to prey on your very soul— you have only a few seconds—
One…
Two..
Three..
_{[ There are children walking, pausing, and listening to this specter ( ??? ) that was speaking to them. Seemingly out of nowhere, Gintoki, handsomely ( ???? not really ) dressed in his costume for the evening, leaps out of the darkness with a threat: ]}

SACRIFICE ALL OF YOUR GARLIC TO ME, OR FACE A DRACU-CURSE! Bwwoooah!
_{[ Gintoki… you’ve got it backwards; vampires aren't attracted to garlic. Anyway, the jumpscare is enough to cause the children to run and scream, dropping any candy they may have had. Gintoki watches them go, then crouches down to collect all of the candy dropped. Yeah, just like that. Not being subtle at all. ]}

Aaaaa? No chocolate? How healthy are these kids? Their parents should be sued.

_{[ He has his pockets full. It looks like he has been banking this way. Care to point out how cruel this is (he's got a good reason for it) or maybe you’ll join him for a night of spooking others? It’s probably good nobody has told him that there are ghosts about this evening. ]}

[ B. ] IT’S NOT A PARTY UNLESS EVERYONE IS INVITED:

<sub>[ After he feel he’s gotten enough candy for himself, he’ll get to business, sure. A lantern is in his hand as he ventures towards the outskirts of the city. You may see him, still in his costume, wandering out on his very own. To him, this looks like maybe it would be a chance to try and bring these races together, or at least take note of their differences in celebration for the holiday.

Wouldn’t it be terrible if somebody sneaked up on him to scare him? Not many people know how jumpy he really can be— maybe it’s some to find out and explore with him.
He will be missing from the city when the lights go out. ]</sub>

A - ........ /smacks with a book

[digophelia]

That's a curious costume.

[ It's 1875 where Alice comes from, "Dracula" hasn't even been published yet, and Alice stops and stares at him, trying to understand what he's dressed as.

She doesn't seem to get it and is a little hesitant to admit she's dressed as a ghost. ]

You do nicely in a caveat, by and by.

[naturallywavy]

<sub>[ That's fine. It's 18** when Gintoki comes from— Dracula probably technically wasn't invented then. Blame it on the aliens who took over Japan's government for that.. again.

Gintoki looks up at the voice and doesn't actually scream cause he recognizes Alice's voice.
But still. She looks pale. More pale than usual. Instead, his voice is hesitant: ]</sub>

He-he-hey, ah, what.. what are you supposed to be? It's a ghost, isn't it? It shouldn't be a ghost— y..you're not a ghost.. !

[digophelia]

[ Oh. That's right. He's afraid of ghosts, she nearly forgot. ]

I'm not wearing any white make up, I'm just dressed in white.

[ She just feels the need to correct him and is thankful he hasn't seen her at a complete rage. She tugs on the dress. ]

Well, I thought the dress was pretty.

[naturallywavy]

Ah, s-so so.. so..! You're just a girl in a really pretty dress! I must be seeing things— maybe you're sick and you look so pale..
_{[ Gin, you were just drawing conclusions cause you're so spooked. ]}

Right? Just a girl in a pretty dress!

[digophelia]

If that makes you feel comfortable, so be it.

[ Alice will take this, this is fine. And, she adds- ]

Mind you, the skies are always cloudy and there's always plenty of rain and snow in England. A lot of us are pale.

[ She feels terrible and tries to reassure him. ]

A

[troublebusted]

[ As he crouches to collect the candy, he may sense someone standing over him. ]

Hey.

[ If he looks up to see Nico, he may also see her hand extended with her middle finger held back by her thumb. If he doesn't react in time, he's going to get a forehead flick.

(Nico may be dressed like a cat, but it's also possible that I may have forgotten to fill out my activity rewards form until yesterday and thus don't know whether she has it or not.) ]

[naturallywavy]

_{[ Of course Gintoki doesn't react soon enough, so when his forehead is flicked, he's a bit too thick-skulled to give her too much of a reaction, but there is a disgruntled face nonetheless. Enjoy that wrinkled nose. ]}

You're not getting any it, got it?
_{[ any candy, you know. He assumes that's what you're after. ]}

[troublebusted]

[ That's disappointing. Last time she did it, it was on a high school girl who went down in one strike. Oh well. She puts her hands on her hips. ]

I don't want any! [ ...not actually true (Nico loves candy) but she doesn't want any out of that candy. ] And you shouldn't get any, either! I knew you were kind of a loser, but I thought you were above stealing candy from children! How could you?

[ I knew you were kind of a loser and also thanks for saving my life and building my stage ]

[naturallywavy]

_{[ nonchalantly: ]} Ah, well I figured— it's a festive kind of night, there's a lot of competition out to get the candy. Also, nobody would give me any when I asked. They said I was too old for it.

_{[ He slowly unwraps a small sweet. ]}

If I don't keep my blood sugar up, I could die. Kids don't need candy— they don't know how to appreciate it like I do.

[troublebusted]

Then eat an apple!

[ She actually has no idea if fruit is good for keeping up blood sugar, but there's talk about natural sugars and the like so maybe? Anyway, she's going to try to snatch that sweet he's unwrapping, and if successful she's going to gesture with it as she lectures. ]

Or just buy some candy! You're supposed to be an adult! At least on the outside, because you are too old to go begging candy off strangers! Didn't you say you're a businessman, not a freeter?

A

[evasively]

[ As Gintoki goes rummaging through the children's baskets for candy, he might hear two sets of footsteps approaching - that of an adult, and that of a young child. The young child is puffing out her cheeks in a tantrum, crossing her arms and glaring in Gintoki's direction. She flinches when Gintoki glances at her, indicating that his act does still spook her a bit, but fights to maintain the courage to call him out. ]

He's the one! That ugly curly-head! He has my candy!

[ The adult she's with might be someone he's run into once or twice. It's Fai, and he's in a gaudy witch costume. His lips curl, becoming amused. Now here's a face he's seen before! ] Oh? Is that the evil vampire you were talking about?

[ The little girl nods adamantly. ] Yeah, him!! Kick his butt for me, mister!

this escaped my inbox but how

[naturallywavy]

_{[ True enough, Gintoki had successfully gotten a chocolate bar out of this girl which was a terrible loss for the girl. He speaks with a mouth full of chocolate. ]}

Oi, oiii. Pipe down. Dracula-san's butt doesn't need to be kicked. There is nothing to kick. _{[ to the girl: ]} Go fly a kite. Sugar is bad for you anyway.
_{[ then to Fai: ]}
Are you going to try?

a mystery

[evasively]

[ The little girl sticks her tongue out at Gin. She doesn't intend to leave until she gets some compensation for what she had lost. Displeased with his nonchalant retort, she starts to pester Fai, chanting a persistent 'Do it! Do it!'.

Fai lets out a sheepish laugh, and his response comes prompt. ] Nope! [ The expression on the young girl's face drops, and she lets out a disappointed whine. Fai only laughs once more and offers his explanation, trying his best to sound apologetic. ]

Dracula here is pretty strong! I don't want to get hurt. [ At least, Gintoki was able to hold up on his own during the brawl a week or two ago. That spoke for his strength. Fighting over a piece of candy was silly, and Fai doesn't particularly enjoy fighting at all. Maybe they could talk this out.

To Gin: ] Now, don't you think it was mean of you to take her chocolate like that?

[naturallywavy]

Dracula-san has a black belt in martial arts and is double-jointed, oi. I can also tie a cherry stem in a knot with my tongue. _{[ GET REKT. ]} So you shouldn't threaten me. I don't care who you are. I can break every bone in this guy's body— I know how to kill a man 500 different ways and that's just with my bare hands. Hey, do you really want that over something like chocolate?

_{[ Gintoki nibbles on the chocolate bar, wrinkling his nose up. ]}

I didn't take it. She dropped it and I found it.

[evasively]

[ In the face of all those threats, the smile on Fai's face doesn't quite fade. He still humors Gintoki, however, feigning a bit of trepidation. It's wholly unconvincing with the cheerful look that's constantly on his face. ] See? I told you he was scary. I don't think I'll survive this fight.

[ The little girl looks quite displeased with the both of them. It's clear to her that Gintoki was making unfounded claims, and that Fai was doing little to actually help her - basically, both of these grown-ups suck. Then comes Gintoki's other claim ...

And the little girl stomps her feet in complete indignation. ] Liar! He's a liar! He scared me and made me drop it! Give me back my chocolate! [ Fueled by her tantrum, she moves over to where Gintoki is and tries to shove him. ]

b...!

[griped]

[ The last time a festival was in town, it ended up with an Ominous Symbol left on the ground for them. So as nice as roasted meats and sweets could be, Kurogane's attention floats more towards dark corners, the edges of the stalls, aka convenient locations for sketchy assholes to linger around and whatnot. Suspicious behavior took precedence to a bunch of grilled turnips.

And though a proper sneak wouldn't do it with a lantern in hand... it's a bit odd to see a human go off towards the other 'side' after the whole messy street brawl. After a moment's consideration, he skulks off after him with a few pocketfuls of candy (to smuggle, not for himself, because sweets are for kids and manchildren) in tow.

But for being a pretty big guy, he moves quietly (being a ninja had its perks, which apparently include following strangely dressed men around). Following, sneaking—little of column A, little of B. But given that he's been forced into some stupid knight's costume... it's not perfect stealth.

Gintoki might hear a squeaking clank behind him, the rustle and groan of branches somewhere above with the whistling breeze. How... spooky? (Or maybe it just gives his location away and the jig is up, shit happens—) ]

[naturallywavy]

<sub>[ It was, in fact, super spooky. Especially for a grown ass man who wholeheartedly believed in ghosts but quickly denied their existence any time he got anxious in attempt to make himself feel better.

Gintoki has driven his blade through the hearts of hundreds. His fear of ghosts was what could be considered an unusual quirk about him, but if only people knew— if only they really knew that the last things he needs are the spirits of his enemies; some of them comrades that he couldn't save to he put them to rest; haunting him for vengeance.

After all, a blade cannot pierce through a specter.. so that puts Gintoki defenseless.

The hairs on Gintoki's neck stick straight up at the sounds and he pauses. He keeps his cool, but slowly begins to survey the area for any sign of life before jumping to conclusions.

and peeing himself. ]</sub>

...

_{[ The agonizing silence of 3, maybe 4 seconds pass, and he can't bare it any longer: ]}

Oi! Show yourself! Show yourself or go fall in a gutter!
_{[ SUCH A THREAT. ]}

[griped]

[ While he's good at catching and reading body language out of necessity, tense shoulders don't automatically translate as 'scared shitless of ghosts,' so Gintoki's dark secrets haven't yet come to light. Internal crises aside, he still looks Cool and Largely Disaffected, no worries. And Kurogane, scared out of his wits (not really) at this threat(???are there even gutters out here), stays exactly where he's perched instead of answering the summons.

—Though as-is, he can't exactly move without more clanking and giving his exact position away. A distraction, then. A proper ninja in this situation would use a shuriken, but all he's got is candy, so it'll have to do. He mouths a curse before taking one of the sweets and—flicks it. Hard.

It shatters in needlessly dramatic fashion against the bark of a tree with a sudden, sharp crack (as much as a bonbon can manage, anyway), right behind Gintoki. It echoes softly in the otherwise quiet woods, and as a bonus, there's a squirrel or two freaking out at the noise. The startled animals leap off the tree and seek sanctuary wherever (or on whoever) they can, which... may or may not be Gintoki. Sorry, man. ]

[naturallywavy]

<sub>[ Why him? What did he ever do to you, Bonbon Shuriken-san? Are you jealous his series is so extensive and successful? Maybe it's his wavy hair? He's blaming it on his wavy hair, truly, once this all comes into light. It's a mystery. It's creepy to stalk other people in the dark. You're creepy.

The tragic fate of the candy shattering against the bark is a success, and Gintoki does brace himself by raising his lantern, threatening to hurl it. He'll do it, by God, and set fire to whoever this person is. It's their fault for spooking him. Before he even begins the whole Navy Seals Copypasta, the squirrel, does indeed perform a bit of parkour by bounding off of the tree and using Gintoki's shoulder as its next perch before bounding to one of the abandoned buildings next to Gintoki.

The chain reaction is a success as Gintoki releases an impressive scream and drops the lantern entirely. It does, in fact, shatter into a bunch of pieces as Gintoki whirls around, drawing his blade that has been under his hooded cloak the entire time. ]</sub>

Oi, oi! Be g-g-gone, Mister Ghost! Haha— hahahaha! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I'll give all of the candy back! <sub>[ He sounded hysterical. What did you even do? ]

[ He does not realize the end of his cloak has caught fire. ]</sub>

[griped]

[ —Yeah, Cool and Disaffected time is over. The squirrel promptly continues having its little woodland panic attack over the loud noises and scurries about like a tiny lunatic with a 300 bpm pulse. Gintoki is on fire. Something something ghosts. Kurogane stays extremely still throughout all this, fascinated in a morbid, trainwreck-y kind of way.]

(Also, his hair is dumb...! Who would be jealous of that, really.)

This is escalating past what he really intended (he was just scoping out a suspicious-looking wanderer, honest to goodness—), and after a few moments Kurogane does hiss down from his tree, ]

Hate to tell you this, but you've got bigger issues than candy right now.

[ But before he can graciously inform Gintoki that he's in danger of combusting, there's a curious shout in the distance. And pattering. It seems some goblin children've grown restless and bored of the adults and their drinking, and might be heading their way to investigate the commotion. With a slight frown in their approaching direction, he looks back to the ground. Should probably at least try to ease up this spectacle before they get here. ]

Your cloak—

[ Meanwhile, have you ever heard an alarmed squirrel? It's not great. ]

B

[counterattacked]

[Eren isn't skulking, or sneaking, or even trying very hard to go unnoticed. He's not really very good at any of that in the first place. He's also not very good at foreign celebrations and tricks and treats, though he'd hung around the human part of the party for a while out of curiosity. And it's a similar impulse that has him wandering over to outskirts, later on.

He finds the edge of town to frown over boundaries keeping the goblins on "their side" of the city. Not for the first time—after the fight and the new law and the curfew went into action, he'd come by often enough to catch it in practice. It doesn't sit right on him, casting them away and barring them down like prisoners, or animals, without any proof at all that it's justified. (Hell, even if there was any proof that the goblins were the cause of this, it's foolish, he knows, to think that hiding your problems away will fix them. Metaphorical or not, walls are never as foolproof as they look.)

Unfortunately, the increased activity and guard brought on by the festivities means one of the goblins watching the borders recognizes him from the fight and makes his displeasure with Eren's presence known by throwing him out. (Bodily.)

So he's sitting on a fencepost outside the limits of goblintown and nursing a bloody nose that'll probably heal before it even has time to properly bruise. Half-hidden in the shadow of an abandoned shop, in a silent and sullen sort of mood, for a change. So he almost lets Gintoki pass him by before changing his mind and opening his mouth and calling out to him. (Surely anyone wandering around at night has a hold on their nerves, right?)]

Oi! Hang on!

[Don't freak out.]

[naturallywavy]

<sub>[ He won't freak out— not entirely, at least. It's not the wisest to spook a war legend who had to watch his back countless times because of all the threats he got.
Gintoki is in a similar predicament as Eren as far as being disliked by goblins— with a little difference. There were humans that were here that refused to acknowledge him for the havoc he caused during the riots. Gintoki wounded and killed both humans and goblins— though his targets had one thing in common.

They were threatening those who were brought here.. and that is who Gintoki had sworn his loyalty to.
Eren wasn't any different, even though he hadn't met him yet. He would stand by Eren's side when it came to something like this once he realizes he was brought here by ALASTAIR.

It does get him to stop and turn around halfway, holding the lantern tight. He would strike with it if he had to. Gintoki isn't sure what this kid wanted; he wasn't sure if he was a villager who had heard of the humans he had killed and was personally offended or somebody from ALASTAIR. ]</sub>

Oi. This is a weird place for some kid like you to be out at. Go to bed.
_{[ Says the one still in the vampire costume. ]}

[counterattacked]

[That's cute, Gintoki. :( For his part, Eren's gaining a smallish familiarity with anyone weird enough to be considered an ALASTAIR asset. He's almost sure Gintoki fits the bill. How many other humans would be hanging around over here, anyway?

His expression creases, and he swipes his hand under his nose one last time to check if the bleeding's stopped.]

I'm not a kid.

[Says the kid. It is, on some points, a matter of perspective. He's all of somewhere in his mid-teens, but he sure as hell doesn't consider himself anything less than an adult. (Because he is, for all intents and purposes, back where he's come from.) He's still dressed just about the same as always—khaki military jacket thrown over his clothes, a pair of crossed wings on the emblem on his shoulders, on his back. He tips his head over toward the lights that signal the goblin part of the celebration.]

They're throwing people out if they get too close. [Most people, anyway. Most humans. And the thin set of his mouth means he doesn't really like it, but he doesn't like the idea of Gintoki walking in unaware, either.]

Watch your back.

[naturallywavy]

<sub>[ A combination of Eren's bloody nose and his warning tells Gintoki that he's been over there already. Trust him, Eren, he knows to watch his back— Gin is certain he's made himself an iconic enemy between both races that live here. It's hard to mistake the man with stark white hair charging through enemies and piercing their hearts with a blade in all of that madness; there were many worldhoppers he wanted to protect that needed him and he didn't show mercy— though he probably should have.

An unimpressed snort passes him. ]</sub>

Don't let a single bloody nose screw you over. Hey, are you useless like Yamcha? If you're really interested in getting over there, you'll figure something out and not give up.
<sub>[ perhaps there is another reason he is dressed up.
And perhaps it is because he is hoping nobody who has considered an enemy has recognized him.

But it could have just been the fact he wanted candy too.

Gintoki starts to turn. You're free to tag along or argue with him because he basically called you a wuss. ]</sub>